Champion trainer Jim Atkins will be recognised as one of the state’s all time-greats following the announcement that he will be inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.
Atkins will become only the seventh industry figure in the Hall of Fame, joining the likes of Mick Dittman, Darby McCarthy, George Moore, Mel Schumacher, Neville Sellwood and Pam O’Neill.
The legendary trainer is one of six iconic names set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Queensland Sport Awards, held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday, November 21.
Originally from Northern NSW, Atkins commenced his training career in 1936 in Brisbane before making the move to Toowoomba in the early 40s.
His near 80-year career saw the legendary trainer notch up more than 3,000 wins, five Brisbane Metropolitan Trainers Premierships, and Group 1 successes across the nation.
Atkins made his name as a champion trainer of stayers, where he claimed every major distance race in the Brisbane region outside of the QTC Oaks, where he had seven minor placegetters.
His career changed forever in the early 70s when would-be Queensland champion Dalrello joined his stable.
Dalrello went on to claim a Queensland Guineas as a three-year-old, before announcing himself as one of the nation’s superstars winning a Doncaster Handicap, Craven Plate, All Aged Stakes, and George Ryder Handicap.
Other champion horses under his eye included Grey Affair (winner of a Brisbane Cup, Doomben Cup, Queensland Cup and Chipping Norton Stakes) and Prince Ruling, a George Ryder Stakes winner and Cox Plate runner-up.